Muffler.



V. OLDBBRG. MUFPLER.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 10, 1912.-

15,043,966. l Patend N0v}12,19v12 2 SHEETS-SHEET l;

` WI TNESSES: NVENTOR:

t 204% @y im mjg; @Mjjfd v. OLDBERG.

MUFFLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10. 1912-.

1,043,966. Patented N0v.12,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: A INVENTOR:

z/ MW @IW (mw (N7 VIVRGIL OLDBERG. OF TEORIA, ILLINOIS,

ASSIGNOR T0 OLDBERG MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

MUFFLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12,1912.

Application tiled Hay 10, 1912.l Serial No. 696,421.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown 'that I, Vixen. OLDBERG, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Peoria., county of Peoria, and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful improvement. in Mufilers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in exhaust mutllers. and has for'its object the production of a device by means of which the noise occasioned by the discharge-of waste gases from internal combustion engines is practically silenced without increasing the back pressure or reducing the power of the engine.

A further object is the production of a device by mea-ns of which the exhaust when discharged is practically at kthe temperature of the atmosphere.

further object is the production of a device hv means of which the sound waves caused b v the exhausting of the gas are reduced to m'Z by causing portions thereof to impinge against each other within the mufller.

A lfurther object is the production of im proved means of securing the parts to gether in such a manner as to insure a rigid structure.

These and such other objects as may hereinafter appear are attained' by my device, embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation, partly in sect-ion. of my improved muliier; Fig. 2 represents a sectional view on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction .indicated by the arrows; Fig. 3 represents an end view of one of the end plates; and Fig. 4 represents a plan view of a portion of the central tube showing the openings. Fig'. 5 represents an end View of the muffler. Fig. 6 represents a side view, artly in section, of my smaller muffler. Fig. 7 represents a sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 8 represents an end view of one of the end plates of F' 6. Fig. 9 represents a sectional view on t e line 9-9 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. i

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts-in t-heseveral figures of thedrawing- Referring now to the drawings-4 and 5 represent end castings or hoods formed from any desired material, the end 4 being provided with suitable pipe connections on its outer face, the exhaust pipe 7 from the engine opening through the end 5 and the short pipe 8, through which the gas discharged to the atmosphere, is screwed into' the connection 6. The inner face of the casting 4 is provided with a central boss 9,

id a series of projecting rings or annnli l1 and 12, and an outer bead 13. The head '5 is provided with an outer annular flange 14 and a bead 15 corres ending with bead 13 .en the opposite end, the outer casting 16 of the muffler being held in place between the beads or shoulders It- 15. Fitting within the shell or casing 16, which con stit-utes the outer shell of the muffler, are four metal expansion tubes 17` 18, 19 and 20, to gether with a central tube '21 closed at its lower end and screwed into the central liess 10, and forming an extension of the inlet tube 7. Fitting Within the head 5 is an an nular plate or ring 22 providedwith a series of annular tlangesvor bosses 23, 24 and 25, corresponding in posit-ion with the annnli 11, 12, 9 on the head 4. These rings are preferably interrupted, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. It is evident that this` inner plate or ring may be dispensed with and ttubosses formed on the inner tace of the head 5, but I prefer to use the additional plate or ring 22. y

lt will be noted that the annulai flanges or rings 23, 24, 25, are stepped upward from the outside; that is, the highest flange is the inner one` or 25. By this construction the assembling of theparts is rendered simple, the inner tube 21 being screwed into the centr-al boss 9. andthe tubes or shells 17, 18, '19, 20 being fitted in place and held b v the annuli 11, 12, 9. The end plate 22 is placed over the ends and the end casting 5 slipped into place, after which a screw land or threaded flanged lock nut is insertedg through the central opening in the end 5 and screwed onto an 'end of the inner tube 2l, as shown at 27, the shoulder 28 of the lock nut striking against the central boss or flange 29 of the end cap 5, thus insurin a tight tit.. I also provide a cap screw 30 tting about the inlet tube 7.

It is evidentthat the tighter the lock nut is screwed down the tighter the drums or i shells will be drawn to the inlet and outlet `crew-threaded interiorly, as shown at 1.0,'

castings or ends, making a tight fitting muffler, and by holding this flange by means of the cap screw the muffler can never become loose or fall apart unless the cap screw is removed and the flanged nut unscrewed.

On the outer face of the end castings I provide supporting lugs 39, preferably interiorly threaded, by means ofwhich the mufiler will be supported underneathl the car, brackets 40 being screwed to the bottom of the car and ends 41 passing through the bot-tom of the bracket into and engaging the supporting lug 39.

`It will be noted, `by reference to the drawings, that the' adjacent annuli orrings are not concentric, but are alternately set ofl" center, the purpose of which will be fully explained later. The central expansion tube 21 isprovided with a longitudinal series of holes 31, opening into the chamber between the outer wall of the tube 21 and the inner face of the tube 20. It will be noted that this line of openings gives access into the circumferential chamber between the expansion tube 21 and the tube 20 at its narrowest point. A similar line of openings 32 is formed in the next tube 20 opening into the circumferential channel between the tubes 20 and 19 at its narrowest point, which is located at an angle of 180 from the openin the former tube. The tube 19 is provided with a series of openings 33,v and the tube 18 with a series of openings 34, and the tube 17 with a series of openings. 35, each series of openings giving access to the chamber between the tube and the next larger tube at its narrowest point. It will also be notedthat air or gas passing through any line of holes in any tube first strikes the inner wall of the next tube and is obliged to travel half way around the tube before finding a point of discharge. The outlet for the last passage or chamber is through the opening 36 in the head 4and into the passage 37 leading to the discharge ipe 8.

In Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 I ave illustrated a slightly different form of mufller and one adapted for smaller machines and one that can be more chea l constructed. The general principle of t 1s mufller is the same, but the number of chambers is reduced and the construction simplified accordingly. In this structure, the three shells 50, 51,- 52 are supported at their lower end against flanges or annuli 53, 54 on a lower end plate 55, while the u per end plate 56 is provided with a singll flange or annulus 57, and is also provided with an interiorly projecting cone-shaped inlet 58, provided with a plurality of slots or openings 59 extending along the conical sides of the inlet and opening into the interior chamber 60 within the tube 52. A rod screw-threaded at ends passes through the center of the tube 52, and is secured by a nut 61 at the lower end and by a corresponding nut 62 at the upper end within the inlet 58. A screw cap or follower gland 63 is provided, surrounding the inlet ltube 64. 'I he outlet of the gas is through the outlet tube`65 at the lower end. In this particular construction the cone-shaped inlet permits a large enough area inthe openings to take care of an equal or similar amount of gas entering the mufller. These openings are made to split up the sound waves before the gases enter the first expansion chamber. The operation of the device in both `cases is the same, it being noted that the total area of the openings in each tube, which corresponds to the smallest sectional area for the flow of gas, greatly exceeds the area of the intake opening.

The outside casing of each form of my device slips over the inlet and out-let end casting, and the flanges or annuli of these castingends are slightly tapering and rounding at the top, the only purpose of the taper being to allow the pattern to be drawn from the sand without breaking or destroying the sand mold. The top of the flange is rounded "or made smaller topermit the outside casing to slip over it more easily. The diameter of :the castings varies in size, for the reason that some molders rap their patterns harder than others, consequently the casting is larger when taken from the mold, and casings or drums being cut to exact size to fit one casting would be a trifle too small to fit a casting somewhat larger. For this reason the top ofthe flange has been rounded or made smaller, to make up forthe variations in the size of the castings.

The operation of my device with respect to the muffler, as shown .on Sheet 1, is as follows: The exhaust gas entering through the. pipe 7 into the expansion chamber 38,

is partially expanded with a consequent drop in pressure. The sound waves striking the bottom of the chamber are partially reversed in direction, and upon leaving throughthe small openings 31 are broken up into a row of small spherical wavelets which impinge upon the wall of the inner expansion tube-20 directly opposite the openings 32, at which point they re-unite and form a single cylindrical disturbance or wave front on each side of the vertical openings. It will be noted that this wave front is formed in the smallest section of the chamber, which tends to materially decrease its length. The gas now expands in accordance with a. known and definite law, and travels in opposite directions around the outside of the tube 21, reducing the pressure of' sequent drop in pressure and temperature,

and the sound Waves are further reduced in f intensity.

It is to be noted that the gradually in creasing passage `between any two consecutive tubes is of specially computed dimensions, which will vary according to the ser-v` ice for which the mutller is to be used, and with other conditions. When the gas is finally discharged through the portv 36 and into the tube 8, the pressure and tem erature are practically that of the atmosp ere, and the sound is practically silenced.

It is understood that there-are various details and modifications in the construction and operation of my device that may be used, Withoutdeparting from the spirit ofmy invention, Which consists in utilizing the forces of the exhaust gas against itself in chambers of a predetermined dimension, in order to eliminate the noise and reduce the pressure and temperature' to a normal degree. 'i

1. In a muffler, the combination with a casing, an inlet, an outlet, means within said casing for subdividing the exhaust gases` and means for causing said subdivided portions to impinge against each other, comi prising a serles of eccentric annular chambers of various dimensions into which said gases are successively passed.

:2. In a muflier, the combination with a casing, an inlet, an outlet, means Within said casingV fory subdividing the exhaust gases, and means for causing said subdivided portions to impinge against each other, comprising a series of eccentric annular cham-A bers of various dimensions into which said gases are successively passed, each of. said chambers having the smallest cross-section at the point of entry of the gas therein,..and increasing in apredetermined degree up to the point of discharge.

3. In a muiler, the combination with a casing, an inlet, an outlet, means Within said casing for subdividing the exhaust gases, and means for causing said subdivided portions to impinge against each other, comprising a series ofeccentric annular chambers of various dimensions into which said gases are successively passed, each chamber being provided with a series of oppositely disposed inlets and outlets.

4. In a mufiler, the combination with a casing, an inlet, 4an outlet, means Within said `casing for subdividing the exhaust gases, and

means for causing saidv subdivided portions to lmpmge against each other, comprising u ries of eccentric annular `chambers of various dimensions into which said gases are successively passed, each of said chambers having t-he smallest cross-section at the point of entry of the gas therein, and increasing in a predetermined degree up to the polnt of discharge, each chamber being provided with a series of oppositely. disposed inlets and outlets.

5. In la muflier, the combination with a casing, an inlet, an outlet, and an expansion chamber, said .expansionchamber discharging through a series of annular chambers surrounding said expansion chamber, adjacent chambers being loca'ted eccentrically with respect to each other.

6 In a muffler, the combination with a cas1ng,an inlet, an outlet, and an expansion chamber, said expansion chamber discharg ing through a series of annular chambers surrounding said'expansion chamber, adjacent chambers being located eceentrically with respect to each other, said annular .chambers being provided :with oppositely Y ameter surrounding said chamber, each 'tube being provided ,with., a series of openings, the openings in adjacent` tubes being substantially 180o apart, said adjacent tubes being located eccentrically with respect to the center of said casing.-

8. In a muilier, the combination with a casing, an inletan outlet, means within saidvcasing for subdividing the exhaust gases, and means for causmg said subdlvided portions to impinge against each other, comprising a series of eccentric annular cham- 'bers of various dimensions intowhich said lgases are successlvely passed, each chamber being provided with a longitudinal series of oppositely disposed inlets and outlets. 4

9. In a muiiler, the combination with av casing, an inlet, an outlet, means within-said casing for subdividing the exhaust gases,

and means for causing said subdivided portions to impinge against eachother, comprising a series of eccentric annular Ychambers of various dimensions into which said gases are successively passed, each of said chambers having the smallest cross-section at the point of entry of the gas therein, and increasing in ay predetermined degreel up to the point of discharge, each chamber being provided with a longitudinal seriesof oppositely disposed inlets and outlets.

10. In a muiiler, the combination with a casing, an inlet, an outlet, and ann expansion chamber, said expansion chamber discharging through a series of annular chambers surrounding said expansion chamber, adjacent chambers being located eccentrically with respect to each other, said annular chambers being provided WithY a series of longitudinally disposed inlets and outlets.

11..In a muffler, the combination with a casing, an inlet, an outlet, an expansion chamber, a series of tubes of increasing diameter surrounding said chamber, each tube being provided Witha longitudinal series of openings, the openings in adjacent tubes be- Y ving substantially 180 apart, said adjacent tubes being located eccentrically with respect to the center of said casing.

12. In a muiiier, the combination with a casing, an inlet., an outlet, -an expansion chamber, said expansion chamber discharg-` ing through a series ,of annular chambers surrounding said expansion chamber and eccentrically located with respectto each other,

y the ends of said casing being provided with a series of bosses against which the Walls of said chambers abut.l

13. In a muiiler, the combination with a casin. an inlet, an outlet, and an expansion chamber, aY series'of tubes of increasing diameter surrounding said chamber and ec'- centrically located with respect to .each other, each tube being provided with a series of openings arranged longitudinally of the tube, the openings in adjacent tubes being, substantially 18()O apart, the endsI of said casing being provided with a series of bosses against which abut. Y 14. In `a mufller, 'the combination with a casing, an inlet, an outlet, and an expansion chamber, a series 1of tubes of increasing diameter surrounding said chamber and eccentrically located with respect to each other, each tube being provided with a series of openings, the openings in adjacent tubes being substantially 180o apart, the ends of said casing being providedwith a series ofbosses against which the Walls of'said chambers abut, and means .for drawing said ends together.

15. In a muitler, the combination WithV a the Walls of said .chambers rality of` chambers eccentrically disposed with respect to each other as to permit a predetermined gradual increase in the volume of gas. as it passes from chamber to chamber; end castings holding said chambers together, and locking means whereby said members are held rrigidly together.

17. In a mutler, the combination of a plurality of chambers ',eccentrically disposed with respect to each other as to permit a predetermined gradual increase in the volume of gas as it passes from chamber to chamber, end castings holding said chambers together, and screw-threaded means Whereby saidmembers are held rigidly together.

18. In a muller, the combination of a plu-4 rality of chambers eccentrically disposed With respect'to each other as to .permit a Vpredetermined gradual increase in the volume of gas as it passes from chamber to chamber, end castings holding said chambers together, and locking means whereby said members are held in place, comprising a threaded lianged lock-nut adapted to engage the shell of the central chamber and fitting over an outer flangel on the corresponding end casting.

Signed by me at Peoria, 'Peoria county, Illinois, this 29th day of April, 1912.

VIRGIL OLDBERG.

Witnesses:

R. A. WHITNEY, C. E. SPANGLER. 

